Used Stair Lifts for Straight and Curved Staircases
The pros and cons of buying a used stairlift
Have you decided that a stairlift may be the right solution for your home, but the overall cost remains a concern? Is a curved stairlift an ideal fit for your staircase, yet it feels beyond your budget?
A reconditioned or refurbished Stannah stairlift offers the same built-in quality and reliability you expect from our products, at a more accessible price point. Suitable for both straight and curved staircases, a refurbished stairlift can help restore comfort and confidence in your home—whatever your stairs are like.
Risks of buying a used stairlift privately
Purchasing a used or refurbished stairlift can appear to be a cost-effective way to regain independence at home. However, when a stairlift is bought privately—from an individual rather than a reputable stairlift company—there are important risks to consider.
A private purchase typically comes without professional assessment, installation, or ongoing support. This introduces several areas of uncertainty:
- Installation and fit
Stairlifts must be installed precisely to ensure safe and reliable operation. When buying privately, installation is often left to the buyer, with no guarantee that the lift will be fitted correctly or in accordance with manufacturer standards. Improper installation can affect performance and compromise safety.
- Safety and compliance
Without inspection by trained technicians, it can be difficult to confirm whether a privately purchased stairlift meets current safety standards. Critical components such as batteries, motors, and safety sensors may be worn or outdated, increasing the risk of malfunction.
- Condition and remaining lifespan
A used stairlift may be nearing the end of its service life. Wear and tear is not always visible, and key components could fail shortly after installation. Without refurbishment documentation or a warranty, any repairs or replacements become the homeowner’s responsibility.
- Curved stairlift limitations
Curved stairlifts are custom-built for a specific staircase. A unit purchased privately is unlikely to match your home’s layout, which can result in poor fit, reduced clearance on the stairs, or the inability to install it at all—leading to wasted time and expense.
- Lack of support if issues arise
If something goes wrong during installation or after the stairlift is in use, there is typically no service backup, warranty coverage, or access to factory-trained technicians. Repairs, replacement parts, or corrective work can quickly increase overall costs.
While buying a stairlift privately may seem economical at first, the lack of professional assessment, proper fitting, and ongoing support creates a higher risk of safety issues and unexpected expenses. In many cases, these challenges can outweigh the initial savings, making a professionally supplied and supported stairlift the more reliable long-term choice.
Buying a Certified Reconditioned Stairlift
If you want the perks of a lower price, but the security of buying from a reputable company, you might want to consider buying a certified refurbished stairlift from Stannah. Our refurbished stairlifts are pre-owned stairlifts, but we’ve checked, tested and reconditioned them so that they are 100% safe for you.
We won’t sell one until it meets our rigorous standards of quality and safety, and we install it in your house for you. That way, we know nothing will go wrong at any point in the process. We give you the full package.
Your reconditioned stairlift will have gone through a rigorous check to make sure it’s working to specifications, including but not limited to the following:
- New batteries have been put in your chair
- Parts deemed necessary have been changed or upgraded
- Additionally, each reconditioned unit:
-Comes with a market-leading Stannah limited warranty
-Can be rented for additional savings
Stannah reconditioned stairlifts come with the added benefit of a 10-year warranty on the carriage motor gearbox, and 2 years on parts. For the first year you have your refurbished stairlift labor is also included.
The Siena One is a great example of a reliable and affordable Stannah stairlift that many users choose to buy reconditioned. It can be installed on most straight staircases and while it comes with important safety features that Stannah is known for, you can purchase it at a lower price point.
The peace of mind you get is priceless. Why not call us to book your home visit, so that a specialist can assess your needs and give you free, personalized advice?
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Excellence, Experience, Trust
Founded in 1867, Stannah Stairlifts is a fifth-generation family business, where customer service, quality and safety come first. We have been challenging and setting standards in stairlift design for more than 40 years. With over 1 million satisfied customers, Stannah is a name you can trust!
Renting a Stairlift
Renting a stairlift means you get all the benefits of a stairlift – the freedom it brings, the security you have on your stairs and the peace of mind you can get around independently, while making manageable monthly rental payments.
You can rent any one of our range of lifts, straight or curved (subject to availability). If you only need it for a short period of time, this is the perfect option for you.
When you rent a stairlift you get:
- The perfect stairlift for your house
- Servicing costs included in your rental
- The peace of mind that you can cancel the agreement at any time
- The installation, administration and removal of the stairlift covered in one one-off payment
- The ability to change your mind, as you’re only committed to one month of rent in advance
Buying a new stairlift vs used
Although other options might seem cheaper, in the long run, a new stairlift is more likely to meet your accessibility needs. If you browse our product range, you’ll be sure to notice all the little details and features we’ve added to ensure your comfort and safety.
The only way you’ll get the full benefit of all those features, tailored to suit your specific needs, is by buying a new stairlift. You can choose each detail to suit you.
To find out what’s best for you, give us a call now and schedule your consultation. We’ll be able to talk you through all your options to make sure you find the perfect solution.
Read our Guide to Buying a Stairlift.
